A positive attitude towards all others ... is that really reasonable? Nothing can be as dangerous and horrid as people...
The time for sharpening the ethical debate is coming. We can not only rely on old norm systems, based on production problems and local communities.
The religious norm systems are always debated because of their inherent conflict between dogma and practical demands of new circumstances.
We need a norm system that is so simple so it can be understood by all and implemented by all always, in all actual and hypothetical situations.
The norm system should also be so challenging that it is necessary for the individual to use all resources in order to find and do the right - the norms should be based on the total knowledge and experience of man kind since the beginning of time. All cultures should be included and feel at home: this is what we always wanted and valued!
To balance a global ethical norm system on the principle of rational non violence is daring. Normally we want some solid basis.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Secret 2
The only reality is in the awareness...
Two people meet. On feel it was horrid, the other feels it was nice. Who is right? Both are right, as the reality is in the awareness.
If they would meet again and talk about their first meeting, they might change view. The awareness changes with communication and information about the reactions of others.
The active agent is information.
What about the patient, anesthetized and being operated on? How can he be better while being unaware? The doctors are aware of what they do.
The chaos in Iraq, is it caused by weapons or by unawareness? It was unawareness of awareness - those who wanted power did not know how much the others wanted power, what means they would use and what arguments they would use. As the awareness increases, the peace increases.
If information is so important, it might be tempting to use secrecy. But secrecy is nothing. It is wasted opportunity.
Two people meet. On feel it was horrid, the other feels it was nice. Who is right? Both are right, as the reality is in the awareness.
If they would meet again and talk about their first meeting, they might change view. The awareness changes with communication and information about the reactions of others.
The active agent is information.
What about the patient, anesthetized and being operated on? How can he be better while being unaware? The doctors are aware of what they do.
The chaos in Iraq, is it caused by weapons or by unawareness? It was unawareness of awareness - those who wanted power did not know how much the others wanted power, what means they would use and what arguments they would use. As the awareness increases, the peace increases.
If information is so important, it might be tempting to use secrecy. But secrecy is nothing. It is wasted opportunity.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Control 2
There are many natural limits to our freedom, and we should respect them. We should respect the rights of others, the limitations of nature and climate for example.
But historically many of these limitations have been reinforced by human actions or rulings. Breaking some rules have led to punishment in one form or another.
This has created the idea that we are free to break rules up to the point where we are punished. But this is wrong. We are free do act only if we do not limit the freedom of others. We are not free to abuse a child, even if the child can not defend itself. We are not free to force others to defend themselves against us.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn described the Soviet society as very heavy-handed, giving the most severe punishments for small offenses or threats to the state. This was not very nice or effective.
But historically many of these limitations have been reinforced by human actions or rulings. Breaking some rules have led to punishment in one form or another.
This has created the idea that we are free to break rules up to the point where we are punished. But this is wrong. We are free do act only if we do not limit the freedom of others. We are not free to abuse a child, even if the child can not defend itself. We are not free to force others to defend themselves against us.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn described the Soviet society as very heavy-handed, giving the most severe punishments for small offenses or threats to the state. This was not very nice or effective.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Relative energy 2
The knowledge about how the brain works is increasing fast these years. Research is intense. New drugs are developed.
Old drugs as tobacco, coffee and tea shows that many individuals would like to increase the energy and capacity of the brain. It is no wonder, as the world we live in is extremely complex, even compared to the extreme complexity of the brain.
We can increase the efficiency of our brain by study and thinking, as we know. Living in a stimulating environment, be it a university or a creative work place, will boost the capacity of the mind.
But we can also train the brain, as we can train the body. There are many methods, including physical exercises, food, sound and meditation. One very essential and basic matter is breathing.
If we can not breath at all, the alarm systems in our organism are activated. This is very good, as it helps us to survive as physical entities.
But if our breathing is good enough to give the physical body energy, but not good enough to support the brain, there is no alarm. On the contrary, the brain is slowed down and if feels as the situation is all right, but a bit passive.
In order to support the brain with energy, it is recommended (by Tarthang Tulku in Kum Nye Relaxation) that we breath with slightly open mouth. Then we will get energy not only to the physical processes in the body, but also for the brain.
Old drugs as tobacco, coffee and tea shows that many individuals would like to increase the energy and capacity of the brain. It is no wonder, as the world we live in is extremely complex, even compared to the extreme complexity of the brain.
We can increase the efficiency of our brain by study and thinking, as we know. Living in a stimulating environment, be it a university or a creative work place, will boost the capacity of the mind.
But we can also train the brain, as we can train the body. There are many methods, including physical exercises, food, sound and meditation. One very essential and basic matter is breathing.
If we can not breath at all, the alarm systems in our organism are activated. This is very good, as it helps us to survive as physical entities.
But if our breathing is good enough to give the physical body energy, but not good enough to support the brain, there is no alarm. On the contrary, the brain is slowed down and if feels as the situation is all right, but a bit passive.
In order to support the brain with energy, it is recommended (by Tarthang Tulku in Kum Nye Relaxation) that we breath with slightly open mouth. Then we will get energy not only to the physical processes in the body, but also for the brain.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Mind, self 2
A selfless identity is a bit more complicated to handle than an identity with a self, if such a thing existed.
An animal is for practical reasons having a self. A cat is always a cat. It is no tiger or bird.
If we human beings had a self like that we could excuse all our actions with this argument: we are like this and we can not change it.
But as we are selfless, we can choose identity, more or less. Our identity is not given existentially, but often there are social and individual limitations.
Our mind has three roles. It is the giver of identity to a large extent, it is the experiencer of identity, and it expresses the identity.
This is potentially a very good construct. It means we can live in happiness for ever.
But it is also a very vulnerable construct. It can easily go wrong, and then we end up in eternal suffering.
One common fault is to strengthen the self rather than to see its freedom. We want to be richer and more powerful. We do not see this as the fault it is.
Another common fault is to misunderstand how to influence others. People with social problems are often treated in way that aggravates the problems. People without social problems are often given social problems, by political or religious dogmas.
The formula for happiness is too simple to be taken seriously. It is that we should treat others nice, because than our mind will give us the experience of niceness, and then we can treat others nice without any strain.
Most people feel that happiness must be earned by hard work, violence, incomprehensible challenges, superhuman feats, martyrdom, pain, sweat, suffering and the like, but that is another thing. It has nothing to do with happiness. It is caused by believing in self rather than selflessness.
An animal is for practical reasons having a self. A cat is always a cat. It is no tiger or bird.
If we human beings had a self like that we could excuse all our actions with this argument: we are like this and we can not change it.
But as we are selfless, we can choose identity, more or less. Our identity is not given existentially, but often there are social and individual limitations.
Our mind has three roles. It is the giver of identity to a large extent, it is the experiencer of identity, and it expresses the identity.
This is potentially a very good construct. It means we can live in happiness for ever.
But it is also a very vulnerable construct. It can easily go wrong, and then we end up in eternal suffering.
One common fault is to strengthen the self rather than to see its freedom. We want to be richer and more powerful. We do not see this as the fault it is.
Another common fault is to misunderstand how to influence others. People with social problems are often treated in way that aggravates the problems. People without social problems are often given social problems, by political or religious dogmas.
The formula for happiness is too simple to be taken seriously. It is that we should treat others nice, because than our mind will give us the experience of niceness, and then we can treat others nice without any strain.
Most people feel that happiness must be earned by hard work, violence, incomprehensible challenges, superhuman feats, martyrdom, pain, sweat, suffering and the like, but that is another thing. It has nothing to do with happiness. It is caused by believing in self rather than selflessness.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Water, sand or stone 2
The inner enemy is our own favourite ideas. We keep them as holograms in our mind. Often they are very fragile constructs, built on dreams, wishes, partial memories, pieces of observations and knowledge...
We have a strong instinct to defend them while attacked. They might be extremely vulnerable. When they are challenged it hurts, as if they had nerves.
Sometimes our inner holograms are related to external facts in complicated ways. Ownership and authority can be linked. It makes things more complicated.
Actions and ideas of other people can also influence our holograms, sometimes making them stronger, sometimes weakening them.
If we have very strong holograms we are daring and can do a lot. That is often considered positive.
Are realistic holograms to be preferred? Yes, what is realistic? The knowledge of our limitations or of our potential?
We have a strong instinct to defend them while attacked. They might be extremely vulnerable. When they are challenged it hurts, as if they had nerves.
Sometimes our inner holograms are related to external facts in complicated ways. Ownership and authority can be linked. It makes things more complicated.
Actions and ideas of other people can also influence our holograms, sometimes making them stronger, sometimes weakening them.
If we have very strong holograms we are daring and can do a lot. That is often considered positive.
Are realistic holograms to be preferred? Yes, what is realistic? The knowledge of our limitations or of our potential?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Change focus 2
Where is the potential for improving the world? Is it in deceit or honesty?
Deceit is the traditional way, but was it very good? It was the best people at that time could come up with. So the old countries acted in a deceptive way towards the colonies, and within the old countries the capitalists tried to deceive the workers, and the workers tried to deceive the capitalists. In dictatorships the dictators tried to deceive the citizens. It was a constant struggle!
If we focus on artificial deception as a way to live we see problems. Problems get aggravated and tend to be insolvable. Bad decisions never stop to create problems.
Machiavelli is the person who described how the leader of the state should use deception in order to rule.
Machiavelli lived in Italy. His famous book The Prince was published in 1513. Since then the world has changed. But has the minds of people changed?
There is a critical point in mind development, where a change from deception to honesty takes place. In a dull mind, it is impossible to see the difference between deception and honesty. But when the energy level has risen above the critical point, honesty is recognized and deceit is given a very negative value.
More and more individuals pass this point, and the speed of progress is very fast in big countries like China, India, Brazil, Indonesia as it already has been in smaller countries as Taiwan and Vietnam.
Deceit is the traditional way, but was it very good? It was the best people at that time could come up with. So the old countries acted in a deceptive way towards the colonies, and within the old countries the capitalists tried to deceive the workers, and the workers tried to deceive the capitalists. In dictatorships the dictators tried to deceive the citizens. It was a constant struggle!
If we focus on artificial deception as a way to live we see problems. Problems get aggravated and tend to be insolvable. Bad decisions never stop to create problems.
Machiavelli is the person who described how the leader of the state should use deception in order to rule.
Machiavelli lived in Italy. His famous book The Prince was published in 1513. Since then the world has changed. But has the minds of people changed?
There is a critical point in mind development, where a change from deception to honesty takes place. In a dull mind, it is impossible to see the difference between deception and honesty. But when the energy level has risen above the critical point, honesty is recognized and deceit is given a very negative value.
More and more individuals pass this point, and the speed of progress is very fast in big countries like China, India, Brazil, Indonesia as it already has been in smaller countries as Taiwan and Vietnam.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Better or worse 2
History is a story of accepting the bad in many ways ... it has been better to conform with religious dogmas rather than to protest. It has been better to work for the secret police than to question the dominant order.
We are still in this situation where we have to choose between the temporary good and the timeless good. Things are not as bad as they used to be. The sector of free speech and free thoughts are bigger now than before. But it is not total.
If we could learn something from history, it would be that weapons and bribes can make progress slow. But progress is eventually inevitable.
We could also learn that freedom of thought is a positive power. It is not necessarily violent in its process for a better society. Peace is better in giving peace than war and revolution is.
We are still in this situation where we have to choose between the temporary good and the timeless good. Things are not as bad as they used to be. The sector of free speech and free thoughts are bigger now than before. But it is not total.
If we could learn something from history, it would be that weapons and bribes can make progress slow. But progress is eventually inevitable.
We could also learn that freedom of thought is a positive power. It is not necessarily violent in its process for a better society. Peace is better in giving peace than war and revolution is.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Stop the bullets 2
To stop bullets shot towards the body might be difficult, even for the most pure identity. But to shield ourselves against abuse is not that difficult.
If the big and brute person A tries to abuse the small and fragile person B, it is likely that the person B will feel sad.
But the fault in the situation is altogether with the person A. He is actively doing something bad. And that is his problem. Later on, someone will abuse him.
If B sticks to his identity, the abuse has no target. There is no reason to feel abused or sad.
But in our culture we do not identify identity in this distinct way. So it is easy for B to lose concentration and identify himself in a way that makes him vulnerable.
If the big and brute person A tries to abuse the small and fragile person B, it is likely that the person B will feel sad.
But the fault in the situation is altogether with the person A. He is actively doing something bad. And that is his problem. Later on, someone will abuse him.
If B sticks to his identity, the abuse has no target. There is no reason to feel abused or sad.
But in our culture we do not identify identity in this distinct way. So it is easy for B to lose concentration and identify himself in a way that makes him vulnerable.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fall and rise 2
If we have mind based analysis, we can see the essential forces in politics more clear than if we have a standard materially based analysis.
In Soviet Union the state ideology, communism, was materialistic. It could not stand the meeting with free minds, even if the state struggled very brutally to limit the freedom of the citizens.
In Iran the state ideology is based on Islam, which is a religion and not a materialistic philosophy. What about the meeting between Islam and free minds?
First of all, the present protests are not against Islam. The question is about the outcome of the elections. Which of the two main Islamic candidates for president were actually elected?
The answer should be easy to give. All that is needed is openness, transparency and honesty. That is what free minds want. Give the facts.
On the international scene, Iran will win in authority if the present problems are solved in way acceptable for free minds.
Iran is facing an interesting period. It is an influential part in an influential part of the world. Iran should meet the upcoming challenges with a united population. That would be nice, anyway.
In the short run, a country like Israel might be amused by problems in Iran, but in the long run, the security of Israel might be endangered by a weak government trying to pacify its population by external hostility.
In Soviet Union the state ideology, communism, was materialistic. It could not stand the meeting with free minds, even if the state struggled very brutally to limit the freedom of the citizens.
In Iran the state ideology is based on Islam, which is a religion and not a materialistic philosophy. What about the meeting between Islam and free minds?
First of all, the present protests are not against Islam. The question is about the outcome of the elections. Which of the two main Islamic candidates for president were actually elected?
The answer should be easy to give. All that is needed is openness, transparency and honesty. That is what free minds want. Give the facts.
On the international scene, Iran will win in authority if the present problems are solved in way acceptable for free minds.
Iran is facing an interesting period. It is an influential part in an influential part of the world. Iran should meet the upcoming challenges with a united population. That would be nice, anyway.
In the short run, a country like Israel might be amused by problems in Iran, but in the long run, the security of Israel might be endangered by a weak government trying to pacify its population by external hostility.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Bridge the gap 2
OK, violence is a symptom of an illness. The illness is frustration. Frustration can be cured. How? Frustration appears when our image of reality and of the ways reality works are contradicted.
Why would this happen?
The main cause is in our own mind. We have a faulty idea about reality. We do not see reality as it is, but as our brain makes us see it. There are four basic faults:
The reality we see is experienced as lasting, while it is under constant change. We believe we will get pleasure from things giving pain. We see things as clean while they are unclean. We see phenomena as having intrinsic value, while they have no identity of their own.
These faults can be solved, and for many they are solved by time.
This is one side of the problem. Another side is other people. Their behavior often gives rise to frustration.
This can be caused by ignorance. Some individuals do not consider the importance of frustration, and thus act negligently.
If we see frustration is the root of violence, we might take it seriously and try to avoid it in a systematic, rational way.
Why would this happen?
The main cause is in our own mind. We have a faulty idea about reality. We do not see reality as it is, but as our brain makes us see it. There are four basic faults:
The reality we see is experienced as lasting, while it is under constant change. We believe we will get pleasure from things giving pain. We see things as clean while they are unclean. We see phenomena as having intrinsic value, while they have no identity of their own.
These faults can be solved, and for many they are solved by time.
This is one side of the problem. Another side is other people. Their behavior often gives rise to frustration.
This can be caused by ignorance. Some individuals do not consider the importance of frustration, and thus act negligently.
If we see frustration is the root of violence, we might take it seriously and try to avoid it in a systematic, rational way.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The liberator 2
The power of mind is normally used to suppress the power of mind. We are born that way, and often family and society supports this suppression.
The extreme opposite, a totally free and open mind is spontaneously quite difficult to endure for most individuals. It seems to have no stable points, nothing to relate to and nothing to refer to.
We can organise our life in many different ways, but if we choose one way we should stick to that. So we get conventions which are good in practical situations, but not good in any absolute meaning. These conventions can block access to the full truth, in particular if they contain ideas about ideologies or religious dogmas which can not be questioned.
Conventions are no block to total reality if everything can be questioned, and if we see the conventions as just temporary conventions and nothing more.
For mind itself it is difficult to look through its own limitations. We try to learn facts, rather than learn to question every observation. This difficulty is just a transitory stage, happily.
If we open mind and see that it can be used not only for routine operations about daily habits and material support, we find a state of harmony which is stronger and safer than any good feelings we might have with a mind blocked in suppression.
Then the power of mind will be used by mind to explore the full power of mind. For the individual this can be experienced as being born again.
The liberation of mind is a task for every individual. Others can not do it for us, but others can open our eyes and others can help remove disturbing external factors like dictators and irritating people.
The extreme opposite, a totally free and open mind is spontaneously quite difficult to endure for most individuals. It seems to have no stable points, nothing to relate to and nothing to refer to.
We can organise our life in many different ways, but if we choose one way we should stick to that. So we get conventions which are good in practical situations, but not good in any absolute meaning. These conventions can block access to the full truth, in particular if they contain ideas about ideologies or religious dogmas which can not be questioned.
Conventions are no block to total reality if everything can be questioned, and if we see the conventions as just temporary conventions and nothing more.
For mind itself it is difficult to look through its own limitations. We try to learn facts, rather than learn to question every observation. This difficulty is just a transitory stage, happily.
If we open mind and see that it can be used not only for routine operations about daily habits and material support, we find a state of harmony which is stronger and safer than any good feelings we might have with a mind blocked in suppression.
Then the power of mind will be used by mind to explore the full power of mind. For the individual this can be experienced as being born again.
The liberation of mind is a task for every individual. Others can not do it for us, but others can open our eyes and others can help remove disturbing external factors like dictators and irritating people.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Investigation 2
Thanks to the surveillance camera we can see which persons travel in a certain subway compartment at a certain time between certain stations - and we can collect millions and millions of such pieces of information from all over the world - and still know nothing interesting at all. Of course, for the subway company it is important to know the number of travellers at all times and places.
If trouble occur, the images can be used in retrospect. The awareness of the presence of the cameras might also be a calming factor.
But the cameras will tell very little about what is really happening during the trip. Yet it can be quite interesting, at least from a human point of view. Every passenger is living a unique novel, and this trip is probably a decisive chapter. But not all is seen on the outside. But all is in the mind.
We have this illusion that external factors tell a lot about reality. This illusion is also basis for the visual dramas we see in movies and television. But even documentary programs are not really documentary. They use the internationally accepted language of physical expression. Compared to natural activities, the language used in media is more precise in all details, be they hair cut, clothes, facial expression, body language, gestures and whatever.
The facade tells very little of the content in mind. So why study the facade?
The content in mind is very stable - in a sick way - in some people. But the mind itself can be open and free to mirror anything. If we want mind to act positively, we have to give positive impulses and projects.
If trouble occur, the images can be used in retrospect. The awareness of the presence of the cameras might also be a calming factor.
But the cameras will tell very little about what is really happening during the trip. Yet it can be quite interesting, at least from a human point of view. Every passenger is living a unique novel, and this trip is probably a decisive chapter. But not all is seen on the outside. But all is in the mind.
We have this illusion that external factors tell a lot about reality. This illusion is also basis for the visual dramas we see in movies and television. But even documentary programs are not really documentary. They use the internationally accepted language of physical expression. Compared to natural activities, the language used in media is more precise in all details, be they hair cut, clothes, facial expression, body language, gestures and whatever.
The facade tells very little of the content in mind. So why study the facade?
The content in mind is very stable - in a sick way - in some people. But the mind itself can be open and free to mirror anything. If we want mind to act positively, we have to give positive impulses and projects.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Right feeling wrong 2
In Buddhist psychology, feelings are the result of earlier actions. If we feel fine now, we made nice things in the past. If we feel bad, we did bad things long ago.
If we relate our feelings to things happening now or to things we should do in the future, we use feelings in a faulty way. Feelings have no bearing on present and future events.
This means that we might feel bad about good things, and that we might feel good about bad things. In a deeper sense, this have no importance. Sometimes we should act against our feelings and sometimes in accordance with them. Or rather, we should not give them too much of importance. If we can act in accordance with both mind and feelings, that is very nice.
We can learn to do this, and thus avoid to live a life of struggle between mind and feelings.
The first thing we should do is good actions. Eventually this will result in nice feelings. Sometimes good actions are daring and bold, sometimes the daring and bold is just destructive.
If we relate our feelings to things happening now or to things we should do in the future, we use feelings in a faulty way. Feelings have no bearing on present and future events.
This means that we might feel bad about good things, and that we might feel good about bad things. In a deeper sense, this have no importance. Sometimes we should act against our feelings and sometimes in accordance with them. Or rather, we should not give them too much of importance. If we can act in accordance with both mind and feelings, that is very nice.
We can learn to do this, and thus avoid to live a life of struggle between mind and feelings.
The first thing we should do is good actions. Eventually this will result in nice feelings. Sometimes good actions are daring and bold, sometimes the daring and bold is just destructive.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Non deludedness 2
Mind can be used in different ways. The last one hundred years or so, material issues have been prominent. A lot of great achievements have been made. Material problems have also been invented, as a lot of wars. They were destructive!
But mind is more than a mirror of a material reality. Mind is closer to reality than matter. Matter is of course part of reality, an important but limited reality. We see the proportions in space: small suns and planets move around in an enormous space. Mind is big as space, not small as planets.
Saying that mind is closer to reality means that a certain piece of matter can be seen in different ways by mind. Reality can be understood or interpreted in different ways by mind. Reality is not in a piece of matter, but in the understanding of that piece of matter, and in understanding everything else out there in cosmos and in here in the origin of life.
For mind the brain is the central organ in the body. Brain is fantastic, but it has an initial resistance to new ideas. We can transcend that resistance by learning and contemplation.
If we want to free mind from its occupation with material factors, we have to train the brain.
But mind is more than a mirror of a material reality. Mind is closer to reality than matter. Matter is of course part of reality, an important but limited reality. We see the proportions in space: small suns and planets move around in an enormous space. Mind is big as space, not small as planets.
Saying that mind is closer to reality means that a certain piece of matter can be seen in different ways by mind. Reality can be understood or interpreted in different ways by mind. Reality is not in a piece of matter, but in the understanding of that piece of matter, and in understanding everything else out there in cosmos and in here in the origin of life.
For mind the brain is the central organ in the body. Brain is fantastic, but it has an initial resistance to new ideas. We can transcend that resistance by learning and contemplation.
If we want to free mind from its occupation with material factors, we have to train the brain.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Time 2
In a mind-based world view even the body is upheld by mind. Not directly, but with the help of an intricate system of stronger and stronger structures.
At death, when mind leaves the body, the decay starts almost instantly.
During life, the support of mind for the body can be more or less efficient. When the support is bad, the body ceases to function.
Normally the mind renovates the body every night when we sleep. It takes place during the first part of the sleep, in the dreamless, dark period.
So if we want to live long, we have to have a vital mind.
Mind can not give the body eternal life, but mind can prepare us for an existence without a body.
If we have a body-based world view we are at risk of focusing too much on material issues.
At death, when mind leaves the body, the decay starts almost instantly.
During life, the support of mind for the body can be more or less efficient. When the support is bad, the body ceases to function.
Normally the mind renovates the body every night when we sleep. It takes place during the first part of the sleep, in the dreamless, dark period.
So if we want to live long, we have to have a vital mind.
Mind can not give the body eternal life, but mind can prepare us for an existence without a body.
If we have a body-based world view we are at risk of focusing too much on material issues.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Ser Ngul Lo 2
It is a vital interest for China and most of Asia that the ecology of Tibet is safeguarded, as some of the biggest rivers have their origin there. These water ways are the life line for millions and millions of people, but also the cause for disasters and floodings.
In order to handle the fragile nature here on the north side of Himalaya, all good forces and all good experiences are needed. This is one of many reasons for giving the Tibetan population and the Tibetan tradition their righful place in modern Tibet.
The government in Beijing has showed great skill in freeing iteself from negative history - be it the cultural revolution, international isolation or the economical ties of traditional communism - so seeing Tibet with new eyes should be no big problem.
Indeed, Tibet could be a real Shangri-la, a gem of religious and cultural freedom, as it already is according to the law.
In order to handle the fragile nature here on the north side of Himalaya, all good forces and all good experiences are needed. This is one of many reasons for giving the Tibetan population and the Tibetan tradition their righful place in modern Tibet.
The government in Beijing has showed great skill in freeing iteself from negative history - be it the cultural revolution, international isolation or the economical ties of traditional communism - so seeing Tibet with new eyes should be no big problem.
Indeed, Tibet could be a real Shangri-la, a gem of religious and cultural freedom, as it already is according to the law.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Cause and effect 2
In order to experience suffering, a double set of causes must be present. First we must have the potential for suffering. This potential is made long ago. Secondly there must be something triggering this potential. If we have a huge potential for suffering, even a small disturbance can release immense suffering. If we have almost no potential, a strong provocation will give almost no suffering.
The potential for suffering we get from our way of treating others. If we give suffering to others, we will get a great potential for suffering ourselves.
This is a trap. If we treat others badly, we normally feel we can do it without repercussions. And often there is no immediate after effect. The effect will come much later, as a sad surprise.
Often we give the triggering factor major importance. We blame our suffering on the person who triggered the experience. This is unfounded.
So if we want to avoid suffering, we should treat others nicely. It works in the long run. If we by some strange twist of mind would try to impose suffering on others, we should know it will hit ourselves later.
The potential for suffering we get from our way of treating others. If we give suffering to others, we will get a great potential for suffering ourselves.
This is a trap. If we treat others badly, we normally feel we can do it without repercussions. And often there is no immediate after effect. The effect will come much later, as a sad surprise.
Often we give the triggering factor major importance. We blame our suffering on the person who triggered the experience. This is unfounded.
So if we want to avoid suffering, we should treat others nicely. It works in the long run. If we by some strange twist of mind would try to impose suffering on others, we should know it will hit ourselves later.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Access to knowledge 2
From where do we get knowledge? From teachers, books, schools, media, people ... yes. We also get knowledge from ourselves by thinking, analysing, feeling. And we get knowledge from ... empty space, as it seems.
If we really want to learn something, we will get a lot of knowledge even under bad circumstances. It is easier under good conditions, with good schools, good masters, supportive environment. But the teachers can only help us to a certain level ... from that level on we have to rely on our will and on space.
We know from history that many inventions have been made at about the same time in different countries. It indicates that knowledge is "out there" for us to read, when we ask the right question.
The social problem is that this knowledge from space is accessible for all who are desperate enough. Often the most desperate individuals are those with social problems.
If we really want to root out social problems in the future we have to accept that all individuals experience periods of desperation now and then - that is unavoidable - so we should prepare for this by discussing the positive alternatives.
If we really want to learn something, we will get a lot of knowledge even under bad circumstances. It is easier under good conditions, with good schools, good masters, supportive environment. But the teachers can only help us to a certain level ... from that level on we have to rely on our will and on space.
We know from history that many inventions have been made at about the same time in different countries. It indicates that knowledge is "out there" for us to read, when we ask the right question.
The social problem is that this knowledge from space is accessible for all who are desperate enough. Often the most desperate individuals are those with social problems.
If we really want to root out social problems in the future we have to accept that all individuals experience periods of desperation now and then - that is unavoidable - so we should prepare for this by discussing the positive alternatives.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Mandala 2
Mandala is a field with content, charge and intention - like a magnetic field. Such a field has other properties than matter or energy.
Mandala is essential for human activity. Everything good is mandala. A cook, an artist, a politician, a parent has mandala. The alcoholic and the terrorist also has mandala.
Mandala is experienced and developed by the individual as an ideal worth striving for. In Buddhist philosophy, the ideal of all ideals is of course to reach the divine levels of reality. It is called Buddha-hood.
In the Christian tradition, mandala is called The Holy Spirit.
To have mandala is to have a skill or knowledge that is more than just a number of facts and methods.
Mandala seems to have magnetic properties in a very real sense. When you read about holy men in India, they are described as the most kind of personalities - with one exception. That is when two holy men meet. They might end up in the most childish power struggle. The repel each other as two strong magnets. Ordinary people are attracted by the magnetic force.
Mandala is essential for human activity. Everything good is mandala. A cook, an artist, a politician, a parent has mandala. The alcoholic and the terrorist also has mandala.
Mandala is experienced and developed by the individual as an ideal worth striving for. In Buddhist philosophy, the ideal of all ideals is of course to reach the divine levels of reality. It is called Buddha-hood.
In the Christian tradition, mandala is called The Holy Spirit.
To have mandala is to have a skill or knowledge that is more than just a number of facts and methods.
Mandala seems to have magnetic properties in a very real sense. When you read about holy men in India, they are described as the most kind of personalities - with one exception. That is when two holy men meet. They might end up in the most childish power struggle. The repel each other as two strong magnets. Ordinary people are attracted by the magnetic force.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Freedom of expression 2
Human beings have spread over the globe more than most other animals. It has been a struggle. The will to expand and use new possibilities is a positive force.
But sometimes it turns destructive. Where is the line between the constructive and the destructive?
It would be nice to find such a line, in a world which is more open than before. The potential for abuse is big, and the traditional power structures are challenged. It would be nice if we had a global power structure based on compassion rather than force or money.
But is it realistic? Will not boys always be boys and step over any lines?
If we have artificial lines, they will be passed. But there are existential lines we should not play with. Or else, we could arrange for reservations for suicide bombers killing themselves in good order, unable to create harm for others.
We have freedom of expression, and if we use that for expressing destructive ideas we will self destruct.
But sometimes it turns destructive. Where is the line between the constructive and the destructive?
It would be nice to find such a line, in a world which is more open than before. The potential for abuse is big, and the traditional power structures are challenged. It would be nice if we had a global power structure based on compassion rather than force or money.
But is it realistic? Will not boys always be boys and step over any lines?
If we have artificial lines, they will be passed. But there are existential lines we should not play with. Or else, we could arrange for reservations for suicide bombers killing themselves in good order, unable to create harm for others.
We have freedom of expression, and if we use that for expressing destructive ideas we will self destruct.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Mind brain conflict 2
Normally we think with the brain. We even support the important aspects in our situation with agreements and different legal documents. We create structures.
We can also think with the mind. The mind is volatile and can see anything from any point of view. Evaluations can change many times every second, but truth is truth.
These two ways of thinking can be in conflict. Indeed, that is normal. This causes problems.
The most common problem is probably exaggeration. Ideas imprinted in the brain are given more importance than they should have. We exaggerate the importance of the negative and the positive we encounter.
With the mind we can see reality as it is. But the brain registers reality as we have decided it to be - with rules, laws and agreements. We can organise our society in different ways, and many of these ways are equal. So we have to ask the brain which the convention is in this particular place.
We have different roles in society, and we are in different situations. Sometimes we should think with mind and sometimes with brain. Mind is superior to brain. If we feel that the structures, laws and traditions in one society are more problematic than good, we should try to change them. But if we have laws we should respect them.
We can also think with the mind. The mind is volatile and can see anything from any point of view. Evaluations can change many times every second, but truth is truth.
These two ways of thinking can be in conflict. Indeed, that is normal. This causes problems.
The most common problem is probably exaggeration. Ideas imprinted in the brain are given more importance than they should have. We exaggerate the importance of the negative and the positive we encounter.
With the mind we can see reality as it is. But the brain registers reality as we have decided it to be - with rules, laws and agreements. We can organise our society in different ways, and many of these ways are equal. So we have to ask the brain which the convention is in this particular place.
We have different roles in society, and we are in different situations. Sometimes we should think with mind and sometimes with brain. Mind is superior to brain. If we feel that the structures, laws and traditions in one society are more problematic than good, we should try to change them. But if we have laws we should respect them.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Trust 2
Is the divine stronger than man? What will happen if we trust in the divine and men tries to destroy it?
The answer is that the divine is stronger on the level of mind. On the material level, man can be strong as destructive force.
Eventually, the futility of destruction will be obvious. So eventually the divine principles will win.
To keep to the divine while being attacked by men is not easy. It is a nuisance, and totally unnecessary. But common.
The strength of the divine is in the perfection of the ideas. It works. It is possible. The cost is low. We want the good ideas.
This is the positive aspect.
But there is a negative aspect as well. Mistakes are mistakes and have negative effects. It is not a matter of sin or punishment. It is bad management. A waste of resources. Inefficient methods.
On mind level, everything we do is processed over and over again. If we put in bad ideas here, they will infest in mind and give bad experiences later.
The suffering we experience is the result of earlier mistakes, and of negative actions done now by ourselves or others.
So the divine principles are stronger than man. negative actions will give negative effects. It is a natural process in mind.
The answer is that the divine is stronger on the level of mind. On the material level, man can be strong as destructive force.
Eventually, the futility of destruction will be obvious. So eventually the divine principles will win.
To keep to the divine while being attacked by men is not easy. It is a nuisance, and totally unnecessary. But common.
The strength of the divine is in the perfection of the ideas. It works. It is possible. The cost is low. We want the good ideas.
This is the positive aspect.
But there is a negative aspect as well. Mistakes are mistakes and have negative effects. It is not a matter of sin or punishment. It is bad management. A waste of resources. Inefficient methods.
On mind level, everything we do is processed over and over again. If we put in bad ideas here, they will infest in mind and give bad experiences later.
The suffering we experience is the result of earlier mistakes, and of negative actions done now by ourselves or others.
So the divine principles are stronger than man. negative actions will give negative effects. It is a natural process in mind.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
New circumstances 2
The circumstances for an extremely smart but comparatively poor world are suddenly very good. In order to function efficiently on mind level we do not need a lot of material factors, but a few essential ones - noodles, broadband, the computer, the cell phone and maybe something more.
This is new. Those who used to meditate in caves can install sun cells and communicate to all the world directly. Those who used to work repetitively long days have something else to do beside work.
Eventually we will have a political organisation relating to these new smart possibilities, but for the moment the political level is probably one of the slowest. They are concerned with the old problems - some even years old!
So we have this new sector of freedom - not the wild west but the free space of mind. How to use it? How to make all of us more happy, finally!
This is new. Those who used to meditate in caves can install sun cells and communicate to all the world directly. Those who used to work repetitively long days have something else to do beside work.
Eventually we will have a political organisation relating to these new smart possibilities, but for the moment the political level is probably one of the slowest. They are concerned with the old problems - some even years old!
So we have this new sector of freedom - not the wild west but the free space of mind. How to use it? How to make all of us more happy, finally!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The opposite 2
The material reality is comparatively difficult to change. It used to be hard work to move mountains and it is complicated to change the production of cars from big energy consuming objects to light, environment friendly things.
This material slowness has given stability to our life and values.
In a mind based reality we do not have this stabilising factor. In mind thoughts and feelings can move with the speed of light. Mind processes are optical phenomenon. Light play, that is.
So we need some new kind of stabilising factor, or else we end up in anarchy and self induced confusion.
The answer to this new need is truth. Truth is stable. We can rely on truth.
If we - in the spirit of Socrates - can see the difference between truth and non truth, we can roam around freely in the cosmic space of mind, investigating and enjoying everything.
This material slowness has given stability to our life and values.
In a mind based reality we do not have this stabilising factor. In mind thoughts and feelings can move with the speed of light. Mind processes are optical phenomenon. Light play, that is.
So we need some new kind of stabilising factor, or else we end up in anarchy and self induced confusion.
The answer to this new need is truth. Truth is stable. We can rely on truth.
If we - in the spirit of Socrates - can see the difference between truth and non truth, we can roam around freely in the cosmic space of mind, investigating and enjoying everything.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Getting help 2
How to solve our problems, and also our inability to solve our problems?
All problems are on mind level. They are adventitious. They can be removed. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is quite difficult.
Often we see problems as external. They might have an external aspect. Then we can work with the external reality. It will not solve the problems by itself, but it will give us something to do while we solve the problem where it is, in our mind.
As children we are very dependent upon others in order to survive. This nice situation when we are taken care of we might want to keep for ever. But we do not have to do that. We get fine by giving rather than by getting.
If we get help we might feel reassured for some time, but if we have not the inner awareness, we are soon disappointed. The development of inner awareness is a delicate mind process. We have to do it ourselves. We can get help - in the form of ideas - but the help is just support, not the real thing.
All problems are on mind level. They are adventitious. They can be removed. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is quite difficult.
Often we see problems as external. They might have an external aspect. Then we can work with the external reality. It will not solve the problems by itself, but it will give us something to do while we solve the problem where it is, in our mind.
As children we are very dependent upon others in order to survive. This nice situation when we are taken care of we might want to keep for ever. But we do not have to do that. We get fine by giving rather than by getting.
If we get help we might feel reassured for some time, but if we have not the inner awareness, we are soon disappointed. The development of inner awareness is a delicate mind process. We have to do it ourselves. We can get help - in the form of ideas - but the help is just support, not the real thing.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Real happiness 2
How much is your happiness worth to me? Everything!
If feels fine when we can satisfy our own basic needs, and we can call this feeling happiness if we like. But if the only happiness we can find is the one we experience directly ourselves, we will not find much of it.
It is essential that the basic needs are satisfied for all. That is not questioned. The questions is if happiness is something more.
If we accept that happiness is valuable, and that the happiness of all is valuable, we have an enormous source of happiness. All six billion human beings and the innumerable number of other sentient beings can contribute to the totality of happiness.
And this totality of happiness can be understood and experienced by us as individuals. Our happiness can thus be enormous.
If we only see happiness as something experienced by ourselves, we easily accept the unhappiness of others as a natural thing. Historically the suffering of the many for the enjoyment of the few has taken place in most nations and cultures.
Partly this was caused by sheer poverty, but partly it was due to the preconception that the self, the me, was the experiencer of happiness.
If feels fine when we can satisfy our own basic needs, and we can call this feeling happiness if we like. But if the only happiness we can find is the one we experience directly ourselves, we will not find much of it.
It is essential that the basic needs are satisfied for all. That is not questioned. The questions is if happiness is something more.
If we accept that happiness is valuable, and that the happiness of all is valuable, we have an enormous source of happiness. All six billion human beings and the innumerable number of other sentient beings can contribute to the totality of happiness.
And this totality of happiness can be understood and experienced by us as individuals. Our happiness can thus be enormous.
If we only see happiness as something experienced by ourselves, we easily accept the unhappiness of others as a natural thing. Historically the suffering of the many for the enjoyment of the few has taken place in most nations and cultures.
Partly this was caused by sheer poverty, but partly it was due to the preconception that the self, the me, was the experiencer of happiness.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Good 2
Mind is the decisive dimension of everything, and we need to respect mind in order to get a good life. It is possible to get a good life. Not easy and not always socially correct, but possible.
Our mind is naturally deceptive. There are so many things and reactions that feel fine but are bad. To sort out the bad reactions and concentrate on the good ones is an art.
It is also a rational process. If we study the workings in our mind we can see what is constructive and what is destructive. And we can choose the good - after some time. Eventually we can learn to do the right from the beginning.
Typical for a society that does not respect mind and its long term effects is the idea that we can get the good by doing bad. Bad methods - from ignorant ones and lying to violence and killings - can give immediate effects which seem good for some individual in some perspective. In the long run and in the perspective of all, the effects will be bad.
Normally we relate a lot to the external, mainly material world. OK. We can do that, and we can still build a nice mind. We get a nice mind by compassion. However, if we try to conquer an external reality we often try violence rather than compassion. Then we lose.
This is not a natural law in the external world. We might win on the external level.
It is a natural law on the level of mind, that good gives good.
Our mind is naturally deceptive. There are so many things and reactions that feel fine but are bad. To sort out the bad reactions and concentrate on the good ones is an art.
It is also a rational process. If we study the workings in our mind we can see what is constructive and what is destructive. And we can choose the good - after some time. Eventually we can learn to do the right from the beginning.
Typical for a society that does not respect mind and its long term effects is the idea that we can get the good by doing bad. Bad methods - from ignorant ones and lying to violence and killings - can give immediate effects which seem good for some individual in some perspective. In the long run and in the perspective of all, the effects will be bad.
Normally we relate a lot to the external, mainly material world. OK. We can do that, and we can still build a nice mind. We get a nice mind by compassion. However, if we try to conquer an external reality we often try violence rather than compassion. Then we lose.
This is not a natural law in the external world. We might win on the external level.
It is a natural law on the level of mind, that good gives good.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Perishable 2
It is a pity: we have to work so hard to make observations about the external world and make some sense out of our observations, and then we have to accept that all this has no true value. It might be false altogether, and the more we do to make our observations correct, the worse it gets.
It is not a personal trap but a mind trap. But some persons are more vulnerable to this problem than others.
It is very difficult to understand reality just by observing it. The easy way is to become an insider, to be able to ask and and to participate.
If we look from the outside we have to look very carefully, and in order to to that we have to believe that our observations are valuable. But usually they are not.
One specific observation might be exact, but the importance of it depends on many factors. The ultimate factors are always mind factors. There are many external factors, many legal factors, many psychological factors, a lot of habits and traditions - but all of this is overruled by mind factors.
It is not a personal trap but a mind trap. But some persons are more vulnerable to this problem than others.
It is very difficult to understand reality just by observing it. The easy way is to become an insider, to be able to ask and and to participate.
If we look from the outside we have to look very carefully, and in order to to that we have to believe that our observations are valuable. But usually they are not.
One specific observation might be exact, but the importance of it depends on many factors. The ultimate factors are always mind factors. There are many external factors, many legal factors, many psychological factors, a lot of habits and traditions - but all of this is overruled by mind factors.
Monday, June 1, 2009
National scale 2
Master class is an extreme example of the object-subject process. The master is the object - something out there which is very attractive for the students. Their hope is to become a master also - to integrate those particular skills.
They can do so by listening and practicing.
The future is decided from these master class situations - where the very ambitious students learn and form their personality.
In the world of today there are many good masters to learn from. And in many countries there is a public debate and a cultural environment analysing what kind of master ships which are the good ones.
In some societies, the most ambitious students learn warfare and terrorism rather than life in harmony and prosperity (which is a constant struggle, by the way).
They can do so by listening and practicing.
The future is decided from these master class situations - where the very ambitious students learn and form their personality.
In the world of today there are many good masters to learn from. And in many countries there is a public debate and a cultural environment analysing what kind of master ships which are the good ones.
In some societies, the most ambitious students learn warfare and terrorism rather than life in harmony and prosperity (which is a constant struggle, by the way).
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